Cigna (HealthSpring) vs. Aetna Medicare Supplement Plans

If you’re comparing Cigna (HealthSpring) vs. Aetna Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans, you’re already asking the right question.

Both are well-known national insurers, both offer standardized Medigap coverage, and both show up frequently when seniors start shopping for Plan G or Plan N.

Here’s the quick truth upfront:

• The coverage is the same - a Plan G from Cigna pays the exact same medical bills as a Plan G from Aetna.
• Cigna is often cheaper upfront, while Aetna typically lands in the middle of the market.
  

This page breaks down how Cigna and Aetna actually compare - not based on logos or marketing, but on real premiums, and what we see when helping seniors choose between the two.

Cigna vs. Aetna Medicare Supplement Plans: Which Is Right for You? (2026)

If you're comparing Cigna and Aetna for Medicare Supplement coverage, you're probably doing what most smart shoppers do: trying to figure out if paying more actually gets you something better, or if you're just overpaying for the same thing.

Here's the honest answer: Since Medicare Supplement plans are federally standardized, a Plan G from Cigna covers the exact same services as a Plan G from Aetna. Word for word. Dollar for dollar. The real differences come down to price, customer service, and the reputation of each Medigap company.

In most cases, Cigna wins on price - often by a significant margin. Aetna brings the backing of CVS Health and a recognizable brand name, but you'll usually pay more for that familiarity. For most seniors focused on value, Cigna delivers identical coverage for hundreds (sometimes thousands) less per year.

This guide breaks down everything you need to know: pricing structures, customer service realities, plan availability, and which company makes the most sense for your situation. By the end, you'll know exactly where your money goes - and which carrier offers the best deal.

Let's start with what really matters: the price.

Pricing and Affordability: How Cigna and Aetna Really Compare

Once you understand that Medicare Supplement coverage is standardized, pricing becomes the deciding factor for most people. This is where Cigna and Aetna start to separate - not because one has "better" coverage, but because they price and structure premiums differently over time.

Let's walk through this in a practical, easy-to-understand way.

Premium Comparison - Real Rates in Texas, Florida, and Pennsylvania

Let’s cut to the chase: how much will you actually pay for Plan G and Plan N with HealthSpring (formerly Cigna) vs. Aetna?

Here are real-world comparisons from three major states.

The Honest Assessment

If you’re comparing HealthSpring and Aetna strictly on Medicare Supplement value in Texas, Florida, or Pennsylvania, the numbers aren’t subtle.

You’re looking at identical Plan G or Plan N coverage - same benefits, same access to any doctor who accepts Medicare - but in many cases, hundreds to well over a thousand dollars per year in premium difference.

HealthSpring is simply pricing more aggressively in these markets. And when you factor in household discounts and historically smaller rate increases, the long-term gap can become even wider.

Aetna isn’t a bad company. It’s financially strong. It has brand recognition. It’s backed by CVS Health. For some people, that familiarity matters. But if your main priority is smart, long-term cost control, HealthSpring is delivering stronger value in these states.

At the end of the day, Plan G is Plan G. You’re not getting better medical coverage by paying more. The real question becomes: Is the Aetna name worth paying $600 to $1,400+ more per year?

For most seniors, the answer is no.

Medicare Supplement Plans Offered

This is where things get interesting - and where some important differences show up between Cigna and Aetna.

Let me start with the most important thing: both companies' plans are federally standardized. That means Plan G from Cigna offers identical coverage to Plan G from Aetna. Same benefits, same claim payments, same everything.

What differs is pricing, customer service, and additional perks.

Cigna Plan Availability

Cigna offers a solid lineup of the most popular Medicare Supplement plans.

Plans offered:

• Plan A (Basic benefits)
• Plan F (only if you were eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020)
• High-Deductible Plan F (only if eligible before 1/1/2020)
• Plan G (the most popular choice for new Medicare beneficiaries)
• High-Deductible Plan G (lowest premiums, but you pay the first $2,950 out-of-pocket)
• Plan N (lower premium with small copays)

For most seniors, you'll have access to Plan G, Plan N, and High-Deductible Plan G - the three plans that make sense for people newly eligible for Medicare.

Aetna Plan Availability

Plans offered (where available):

• Plan A
• Plan B
• Plan C (only if eligible before 1/1/2020, select states like NJ)
• Plan D (select states)
• Plan F (only if eligible before 1/1/2020)
• High-Deductible Plan F (only if eligible before 1/1/2020)
• Plan G
• High-Deductible Plan G
• Plan N

Most Popular Plans (What People Actually Choose)

Both companies offer the three plans that matter most:

#1. Plan G - Most comprehensive option for anyone who became eligible for Medicare after January 1, 2020. Covers everything except the Part B deductible ($283 in 2026). This is what 96% of new Medicare Supplement buyers choose.

#2. Plan F - Most comprehensive overall (covers even the Part B deductible), but only available if you were eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020. If you qualify, this is the gold standard.

#3. Plan N - Lower premiums than Plan G, but you pay small copays ($20 for office visits, $50 for ER visits). Good for people who don't go to the doctor often and want to save on monthly costs.

Coverage and Benefits: What You're Actually Getting

This is the section where a lot of Medicare shoppers expect to see big differences - and where the truth often surprises people.

Because Medicare Supplement plans are federally standardized, the medical coverage itself is identical for the same plan letter, no matter which company you choose. A Plan G from Cigna pays claims the same way a Plan G from Aetna does. Period.

So when we talk about "coverage," we're really talking about plan letters, not insurance companies.

Plan G Coverage (Most Popular Choice)

Plan G is the most comprehensive Medigap option available to people newly eligible for Medicare, and it's the plan most seniors ultimately choose.

Plan G covers:

• Medicare Part A coinsurance and hospital costs (up to 365 extra days after Medicare runs out)
• Medicare Part B coinsurance (the 20% Medicare doesn't pay)
• First three pints of blood
• Part A hospice care coinsurance or copays
• Skilled nursing facility coinsurance
• The Medicare Part A deductible ($1,736 in 2026)
• Medicare Part B excess charges (when doctors bill more than Medicare's approved amount)
• Foreign travel emergency coverage (80% up to plan limits)

What Plan G does not cover:

• The Medicare Part B deductible ($283 in 2026)

Once that deductible is met, most people with Plan G rarely see additional medical bills for Medicare-covered services.

Plan N Coverage (Lower Premium, Trade-Offs)

Plan N works very similarly to Plan G, but with a few key differences designed to lower the monthly premium.

Plan N:

• Covers almost everything Plan G does
• Does not cover Part B excess charges (when doctors bill above Medicare rates)
• Requires small copays: Up to $20 for most office visits; up to $50 for ER visits that don't result in hospital admission

Plan N also does not cover the Part B deductible.

For people who don't visit doctors often and want a lower monthly cost, Plan N can make sense. For those who want maximum predictability, Plan G is usually the safer bet.

High-Deductible Plan G

High-Deductible Plan G is a very different type of Medigap strategy.

Here's how it works:

• You must pay $2,950 out-of-pocket in 2026 before the plan pays anything
• After that deductible is met, it works exactly like standard Plan G

The appeal is the very low monthly premium (often $40-$60/month), but it's not ideal for everyone. It tends to work best for healthier seniors who want catastrophic protection and are comfortable self-insuring smaller expenses.

Additional Benefits and Value-Adds (Where Companies Actually Differ)

Since medical benefits are identical, the only real differences between Cigna and Aetna show up in extras and companion products. These don't change how medical claims are paid - but they can add convenience or value for some people.

Cigna Extra Benefits

Cigna leans more into discount-style wellness perks rather than integrated healthcare services.

Common extras include:

• Healthy Rewards Program, which may offer discounts (often up to 25%) on:
  
  • Gym memberships and fitness programs
  • Nutrition and wellness services
  • Vision and hearing services
  • Alternative medicine
  • Wellness products
• Optional companion products:
  
  • Standalone dental plans
  • Hospital indemnity coverage
  • Dental, vision, and hearing bundles

Important to remember: Cigna Medigap plans have no provider networks, you can see any doctor or hospital that accepts Medicare.

Aetna Extra Benefits

Aetna's extras are more about integration with the CVS Health ecosystem than discounts.

Potential advantages include:

• Access to CVS MinuteClinic locations for extended-hour care
• Coordination with CVS Pharmacy and Caremark services
• Digital tools and mobile apps for plan management

Important to note:

• Programs like SilverSneakers are generally tied to Medicare Advantage, not Medigap
• Some CVS-related support programs are not available to Medigap members

Like Cigna, Aetna Medigap plans have no networks - you can use any Medicare-accepting provider nationwide.

Customer Service and Support

Let me be straight with you: neither Cigna nor Aetna has stellar customer service ratings for Medicare Supplement. Both companies struggle with complaints above industry average.

If customer service is your top priority, you might want to look at other carriers entirely.

That said, here's how they compare to each other.

Cigna Customer Service

Ratings and reputation:

• Complaint Index: 20-50% more complaints than industry average
• BBB Rating: A+ (shows they work to resolve complaints)
• Medical Loss Ratio: 82.2% (slightly below industry average of 83.9%)

Common complaints:

• Long hold times (reports of 1-3+ hours - ouch)
• Difficulty reaching customer service representatives
• Claims processing delays
• Enrollment and premium payment issues
• Customer service described as "terrible" and "worst" in multiple reviews
• Billing and payment confusion

Positive aspects:

• Company responsive on ConsumerAffairs and Trustpilot platforms
• Formal customer resolution processes in place
• Email escalation available: LetUsHelpU@CignaHealthcare.com

How to reach them:

• Phone: (877) 349-2897 (TTY 711)
• Hours: (Monday-Friday, 8 AM - 8 PM)
• Online portal and digital tools available

Aetna Customer Service

Ratings and reputation:

• NAIC Complaint Index: 2.77 (significantly worse than industry average of 1.00)
• BBB Rating: A- (dedication to addressing concerns with room for improvement)
• Insure.com Rating: 4.07 out of 5 stars (#7 overall for health insurance in 2026)
• Medical Loss Ratio: 89.1% (above industry average of 83.9% - a positive sign)
• Trusted Choice Rating: 2.75 out of 5 stars

Common complaints:

• Long hold times and difficulty reaching representatives
• Claim denials and processing issues
• Premium increases without adequate notice
• Billing problems and payment confusion
• Difficulty getting reimbursements
• Customer service described as "worst," "terrible," and "nightmare" in numerous reviews

Positive aspects:

• #1 among for-profit managed care organizations with 250K+ members (2026 Star Ratings)
• CVS Health integration provides additional support channels
• Digital tools rated slightly above average
• Second-highest score for ease of accessing policy documents (85% satisfied in Insure.com survey)

How to reach them:

• Phone: 1-844-383-6129 (Monday-Friday, 9 AM - 8 PM ET)
• Online portal through CVS Caremark integration
• Mobile app available
• Email and chat available through online account

The Honest Verdict on Customer Service

Both companies have notably poor customer service reviews. Aetna's complaint index is slightly worse according to NAIC data, but in practice, you're likely to encounter frustrations with either carrier.

Here's what this means for you: for routine claims - doctor visits, hospital stays, standard procedures - both companies process claims automatically without much interaction. You won't notice a difference.

The customer service issues show up when you have:

• Billing disputes
• Unusual claims
• Questions about coverage
• Payment processing problems

If you're someone who needs frequent support or has complex health situations, honestly, you might want to consider UnitedHealthcare or Mutual of Omaha instead. Both have significantly better customer service ratings than Cigna or Aetna.

But if you're healthy, understand your coverage, and don't anticipate needing much support? The lower premiums from Cigna (and the automatic claims processing that works 95% of the time) probably matter more than the edge-case service headaches.

Enrollment and Eligibility

When it comes to eligibility and enrollment rules, Cigna and Aetna follow the same federal Medigap framework. The differences usually come down to how widely they offer plans in certain states and how strict they are with underwriting once you're outside your protected enrollment window.

Eligibility Requirements (Same for Both)

To enroll in a Medicare Supplement plan with either company, you must:

• Be enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B
• Be 65 or older, or qualify under age 65 through disability (depending on your state)

Both companies sell Medigap policies primarily to age-65 Medicare beneficiaries, but availability for people under 65 is not guaranteed nationwide.

Cigna offers Medigap coverage to under-65 disabled beneficiaries in 26 states. Aetna also offers under-65 Medigap access in certain states, but availability varies widely.

If you're under 65 and on Medicare due to disability, you'll need to check availability carefully, because even "big-name" carriers don't always participate in that segment of the market.

Your Medigap Open Enrollment Period (Most Important Rule)

This is the single most important timing rule in Medicare Supplement shopping.

Your Medigap Open Enrollment Period is a 6-month window that begins the first day of the month you are both:

• 65 or older
• Enrolled in Medicare Part B

During this window, you have guaranteed issue rights, meaning:

• You cannot be denied coverage
• You cannot be charged more due to health conditions
• You cannot be forced into underwriting review

This is when seniors get the best access to Plan G, Plan N, and other Medigap plans at the best available rates.

What Happens After Open Enrollment Ends

Once that 6-month window closes, both Cigna and Aetna can typically require:

• Medical underwriting
• Health screening questions
• Prescription history review
• Possible denial based on conditions

And in some situations, you may face:

• Higher premiums based on health
• A pre-existing condition waiting period (up to 6 months)

This is why Medicare Supplement timing matters almost as much as the company itself.

Guaranteed Issue Rights (Outside Open Enrollment)

Even if you're past your open enrollment window, you may still qualify for Medigap without underwriting if you have a protected event, such as:

• Losing employer coverage
• Losing a Medicare Advantage plan in certain situations
• Moving out of a plan's service area
• Other qualifying coverage loss events

These special situations are called guaranteed issue rights, and they apply to both companies equally.

How Enrollment Works

Both carriers allow you to apply through the same channels:

Cigna enrollment options:

• Online application
• Phone enrollment: (877) 349-2897
• Licensed agent enrollment

Aetna enrollment options:

• Online application
• Phone enrollment: 1-844-383-6129
• Licensed agent enrollment (often through CVS Health systems)

In both cases, you'll typically need:

• Your Medicare card
• Your Part A and Part B effective dates
• Basic personal and billing information

When Coverage Usually Starts

For both companies, Medicare Supplement coverage typically begins:

• The first day of the month after approval
• Or a future date you select (if allowed)

If you apply during your Medigap open enrollment window, approval is usually smoother and faster, and you can often align your start date with your Part B effective date.

Bottom Line on Eligibility

If you're enrolling at 65 with Part B active, both Cigna and Aetna are equally accessible (assuming Aetna still offers plans in your state).

But if you're applying later - or under age 65 due to disability - eligibility becomes more state-specific, and underwriting rules become a major deciding factor.

Pros and Cons Summary

At this point, it's pretty clear that both Cigna and Aetna are legitimate Medicare Supplement carriers - but they appeal to different types of buyers. Cigna tends to win on pricing and discount structure, while Aetna leans more into corporate backing and overall scale.

Here's the clean breakdown.

Cigna Medicare Supplement Plans - Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Competitive pricing in many markets, often coming in lower than other major national carriers
• Strong discount potential (some areas allow multiple discounts to stack)
• Widely available in most states (48 states + DC)
• Healthy Rewards-style discount programs for wellness-related services
• Strong financial stability (AM Best rating of A – Excellent for key subsidiaries)
• Issue-age pricing available in select states, offering more predictable long-term pricing
• Optional add-on products available (dental, vision, hearing, etc.)
• No provider networks - accepted anywhere Medicare is accepted

Cons:

• Limited plan variety for most new enrollees (primarily Plan G and Plan N, plus legacy plans)
• Ongoing corporate transition due to the Medicare business acquisition and rebranding
• Not available in Massachusetts or New York

Aetna Medicare Supplement Plans - Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Strong financial backing (AM Best rating of A – Excellent)
• Backed by CVS Health, providing additional corporate stability
• Medical loss ratio above industry average, indicating strong allocation toward member benefits
• Solid digital tools and member account access
• Broad Medicare presence nationally
• Established national brand with long operating history
• Structured complaint resolution process
• Lower pricing than many competitors

Cons:

• Discount options are generally smaller compared to carriers with stronger household or stackable discounts
• Premium increases can be meaningful depending on state and block performance
• Not available in Massachusetts or Washington

Our View: Cigna vs. Aetna Medicare Supplement Plans

From a practical, day-to-day Medicare shopper perspective, this comparison usually comes down to value versus brand comfort.

In most of the quote scenarios we see, Cigna consistently comes in as one of the better overall deals. Premiums are often lower for the same Plan G or Plan N coverage, and when household or enrollment discounts apply, the gap can widen even more.

Since Medicare Supplement benefits are standardized, paying less for identical coverage matters - especially over the long term.

Aetna is still worth reviewing, particularly for people who already have a relationship with the CVS Health ecosystem or who feel more comfortable sticking with a household name. That said, Aetna's Medigap pricing is rarely the most competitive, and the higher complaint volume combined with dramatically reduced plan availability in 2026 makes it harder to justify the extra cost in many cases.

Our general takeaway: If your priority is getting the best value for the coverage, Cigna usually wins.

If brand familiarity matters more than price, Aetna may still appeal - but you'll often pay more for the same benefits, and you need to verify they even offer plans in your ZIP code.

Because premiums vary by ZIP code and age, it's always smart to compare both - but in most side-by-side quotes, Cigna ends up offering the stronger deal.

That's why, for value-focused Medicare Supplement shoppers, Cigna is often where we start the conversation and Aetna becomes the comparison point rather than the default choice.

Bottom Line

Here's what it comes down to:

Choose Cigna if you want the best value. Lower premiums, stackable discounts, and wide state availability make Cigna the smarter financial choice for most seniors. Yes, customer service has issues - but for routine claims that process automatically, you probably won't notice.

And the hundreds of dollars per year you save matter more than edge-case service problems for most people.

Consider Aetna if you're already in the CVS Health ecosystem and value that integration - but make sure to verify that they offer Medicare Supplement plans in your ZIP code. And be prepared to pay more for the CVS brand name without getting better coverage.

Your next steps:

1. Get quotes from both companies for your exact age and ZIP code
2. Apply any household or enrollment discounts before comparing
3. Verify Aetna actually offers Medigap in your area (don't assume they do)
4. Enroll during your Medigap Open Enrollment Period for guaranteed acceptance
5. Consider getting quotes from other carriers like UnitedHealthcare or Mutual of Omaha for comparison

The smart money is on Cigna for most seniors shopping Medicare Supplement. You're getting identical federal coverage for less money - and that's what matters most.